Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), a former Navy SEAL and current member of the House of Representatives, issued a sharp rebuke to former President Barack Obama following the Democrat’s defense of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on social media, as reported [1] by Fox News.
“You’ve done enough damage. Probably best to sit this one out,” Crane wrote in a post on X, responding directly to Obama’s comments.
You’ve done enough damage.
Probably best to sit this one out. https://t.co/ZZQ5lDL8FX [2]
— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) August 12, 2025 [3]
The exchange began after Obama posted a statement claiming Republicans have repeatedly failed to repeal the ACA since its passage, attributing those failures in part to the millions of Americans who now rely on the program.
“Now Republicans are trying something different: quietly weakening the law and hoping you won’t notice. We can’t let them,” Obama wrote.
Since we passed the Affordable Care Act, Republicans have tried over and over to repeal it. And over and over, they’ve failed — in part because millions of people now depend on the ACA for quality, affordable health care.
Now Republicans are trying something different: quietly…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 12, 2025 [4]
Several Republican leaders quickly responded, criticizing the ACA’s impact on healthcare costs and coverage.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) wrote that the law “was a great deal—for huge healthcare companies. But it’s made healthcare less affordable for hardworking American families, who have seen their healthcare costs skyrocket—while a small handful of healthcare giants have reaped a windfall of billions of dollars a year.”
Obamacare was a great deal—for huge healthcare companies
But it’s made healthcare less affordable for hardworking American families, who have seen their healthcare costs skyrocket—while a small handful of healthcare giants have reaped a windfall of billions of dollars a year
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) August 12, 2025 [5]
Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, now president of Young America’s Foundation, argued that the ACA improperly expanded Medicaid.
“The worst part of Obamacare was putting able-bodied, working-age adults on government assistance instead of helping them find employment. I’ve been vocally against this since day one. Medicaid should be for needy children, families, and seniors. Not for those who can work!” Walker said.
The worst part of Obamacare was putting able-bodied, working-age adults on government assistance instead of helping them find employment. I’ve been vocally against this since day one. Medicaid should be for needy children, families, and seniors. Not for those who can work! https://t.co/234rudfrC4 [6]
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) August 12, 2025 [7]
The White House also weighed in through spokesman Kush Desai, who criticized Obama’s portrayal of the program.
“Obama should start by acknowledging that ACA was a failed promise – a program that was riddled with waste, fraud, and abuse that President Trump and Republicans are slashing. The Administration’s policies are strengthening America’s healthcare system with commonsense reforms to cut red tape, protect Medicaid, and lower drug prices by making wealthy countries finally pay their fair share,” Desai said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
